Blessed by a Demon’s Mark (22 page)
I looked into his eyes, saw how deep and pale they were. It was as if he could stare straight into my soul and dissect me from the inside, could sort through my every thought, could see what I saw when I looked upon him.
No, Levi wasn’t a man.
He was an angel.
24
I hid the surprise as best as I could. “Levi,” I said. I kept my hands near my weapons, though I seriously doubted they would do any good against him.
He ushered Sienna back in the house, eyes always on me. The girl didn’t want to go, but go she did. She scurried away, crying again. I thought I saw movement just inside the door as she entered the house. The door closed before I could catch a glimpse of who it was. I hoped Eilene was okay.
As soon as his adopted daughter was gone, Levi turned his full attention on to me. “You’ve returned.” His voice sounded flat. I wasn’t sure if he was happy to see me or if he was planning on gutting me right then and there.
“I had some things to take care of,” I said, doing my best not to let my fear show. “I thought I’d stop by for a little visit, see how the family was getting along.... Is everyone okay?”
It was hard not to stare at his wings, at his altered features. Everything about him was different, yet I knew it was Levi. I wondered how I never saw through the glamour before.
Did he know I could see through it now? I couldn’t tell by his voice or appearance at all.
Levi looked around as if making sure no one was around and listening. He checked the house windows twice before he started walking toward me. He seemed almost to float with every step, as if his feet never actually touched the ground.
“You had us all scared,” he said. “Sienna cried for hours when you left.” His voice was still flat, emotionless. I’m guessing he was trying to sound disappointed, but the Sight appeared to cut through anything he tried to do that wasn’t natural. “I was worried about you.”
He stopped a few feet away and I breathed a sigh of relief. Just standing in Levi’s presence was awe-inspiring enough. I didn’t want him any closer or else it might weigh me down. It was nearly as bad as standing around Beligral, though the demon always kept his human glamour up. How bad would he be if he were ever to drop it so I could see him for what he really was?
I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to find out.
“I still have some things to do,” I said. “I just wanted to see Sienna and make sure she was okay.” I reached for the car door, wanting to get out of there. I could always get the girl later, once I had some backup.
“STOP!”
I cried out and dropped to my knees, hands going reflexively to my ears. Levi’s voice tore right through me, set my teeth to vibrating. I was surprised when I pulled my hands away that they weren’t covered in blood. It had felt like something had ruptured in my head.
I looked up to find Levi towering over me. His wings were spread, his face a mask of anger. I knew he could smite me down with a word if that was what he wanted. I couldn’t stand against something like that.
“I can smell him on you,” he said. “I can
feel
his mark where it writhes on your flesh.”
feel
his mark where it writhes on your flesh.”
The mark behind my ear flared up. I cried out in pain and the agony stopped almost immediately. I’m not sure if Levi had caused it to hurt or if Beligral had done it, and honestly, I didn’t care.
“You have walked with the darkness and let it consume you. You are twice marked now. I couldn’t save you even if I still wanted to.”
I forced my way to my feet despite the fact my legs were shaky. I would not take this on my knees. If Levi was going to kill me, he was going to have to fight for that right like everyone else. I had no illusions that I could kill the angel, but I sure as hell would try.
“Why?” I asked. “Why are you doing this to these people? This isn’t a real place, is it?” I made a sweeping gesture with my arms. “This town isn’t really here.”
I don’t know how I knew, but I was positive Delai wasn’t what it appeared to be. Beligral’s Sight didn’t show me, though it might have aided in my understanding.
Levi smiled. It was as cruel of an expression as anything I’d ever seen.
“I help people here,” he said. “Those that wish for help, that truly wish to be saved, receive it. Those that do not . . .” He shrugged. “They leave.”
“I seriously doubt that.”
His expression turned neutral. “You know nothing about me or what I do. I was so close to curing you, to separating you from your demonic blood. And now . . . now you are nothing to me.” He spat. “You cannot be saved.”
“You weren’t helping me.” I took a step toward him despite the fact I knew he could crush me. He was taller now, so I had to look up to stare into his eyes. “You were turning me into one of your zombies. The people here aren’t people anymore. They’re just empty shells. I’ve known it all along. It just took me a while to realize it.”
Levi met my stare for a few seconds before looking away, indifferent. “They are no longer the creatures they once were,” he said. His eyes met mine again, and the intensity of his glare forced me back a step. “I’ve cured them of their taint. I am fixing what has been unleashed here one demon at a time. You cannot fault me for that.”
I laughed. “Then why hide what you are if you are so confident you are doing the right thing?”
Levi’s eyes widened for a heartbeat before he resumed his neutral stare. He looked deep into my eyes, seemed to be looking for something. Apparently, he found it.
“I see,” he said with a sigh. “You accept the gifts of a demon over what I have to offer. I knew you were damned. I didn’t realize how much of a hold it had on you until now.”
“You are no better than he is,” I said. “Don’t pretend you are.”
Levi waved a hand dismissively and started to walk away. “Leave,” he said. “You are no longer wanted here.”
“Not without Sienna,” I said, drawing my sword. I doubted I could take him, but I sure as hell was going to give it all I had. I owed it to the girl to at least try to save her.
All it took was a wave of his hand and I was slammed up against Jeremy’s car. The air was pressed from my lungs, expelled in a huff. It felt like a vise was slowly squeezing the very life out of me. My sword fell from my hand and clattered to the ground. I dangled there, my feet inches from the pavement, trapped by a force I couldn’t see.
Levi turned to face me, anger blazing in his eyes. It was like an actual fire, burning deep within his sockets.
He wasn’t a beautiful vision, the kind of thing read about in books. He wasn’t the angel spoken of by those in prayer. He was a destructive force, a demon in his own right. He cared nothing for me or the other Purebloods or supes he might harm. He only wanted to get his way and would stop at nothing to get it, even if it meant killing everyone in the process.
“Your blood sickens me,” he said. “It taints the air I breathe. I only wanted to help you. I thought you wanted it, thought you were ready. I let you into my home, my realm, in the hopes I could pull you away from the darkness that consumes you.”
He grunted and shook his head. “Go back to your home, go back to the monsters to kill and maim, because that is all you know how to do.”
The invisible vise squeezed harder. Blood dripped from my nose. I could taste more of it in my mouth. My eyes felt just about ready to pop from my head.
“But things like you never truly go away, do they?” He took a step toward me. One of my ribs groaned in protest. “You’ll keep trying to come back. You’ll think you’re doing the right thing when all you’ll really be doing is ruining the good work I’ve done here. I cannot let you destroy what I’ve worked so hard to accomplish.”
Another step and the rib didn’t just groan this time. It broke with an agonizing snap.
“Dad!” Sienna called out from the house. The door was standing wide open. I could just make her out through the haze in my head.
The vise was suddenly gone and I fell to the ground. I sucked in a painful breath and starting coughing. My lips were flecked with blood. My eyes burned so badly, I was afraid I was bleeding from them as well.
“What is it, sweetie?” Levi said. I glanced up, thinking I’d see the big, hairy man again, but he still looked like an angel to me. Even his voice sounded flat, emotionless, though I knew that’s not what Sienna heard.
“Don’t hurt her,” she said. “Please, let her go home.”
Levi stopped in front of his adopted daughter, putting himself between her and me. “Why would I hurt her?” he said. He put a hand on her shoulder and she flinched as if she was afraid he might hit her.
I wondered what kind of monster he thought she was. As far as I could tell, she was just a Pureblooded girl, trapped in this place like so many others. If Levi thought he was curing her, then what was he curing her from?
Not that it mattered, really. I knew I’d have to save her somehow. I just wasn’t sure how I’d ever manage it.
Movement by the door caught my eye. Eilene stood there, bathrobe pulled tight against her shoulders. She gave me a sad, resigned look that said more than words that she wished I’d never returned. I wanted to call out to her, but as soon as she saw me looking, she turned and walked back into the house.
Sienna said something I couldn’t hear past the ringing in my head. She looked so scared, I wanted to get up and just shoot the bastard in the back of the head. I doubted my bullets would do a damn bit of good, but it sure as hell would feel good, giving me that one last glint of enjoyment before he squashed me like a bug.
“Go back inside,” Levi said. “We’re just talking. Kat will be leaving shortly.”
Sienna glanced past him at me. It was obvious we hadn’t just been talking, but she nodded anyway. I’d do anything in the world to save her and I hoped she knew that. I might be no match for her adopted father, but somehow, I’d do it.
“I’ll come back for you,” I mouthed, hoping she would be able to read my lips.
She seemed to understand. She gave me a curt nod before running back to the house.
Levi stared after her before giving a heavy sigh. He turned back to me and stalked toward where I lay. I fully expected the pressure to return, but it didn’t. He just knelt beside me and shook his head. He knew I couldn’t hurt him. He had nothing to be afraid of.
“You are lucky,” he said. “Against my better judgment, I will let you live.” He reached out and I cringed. It only made him laugh. “Let me help you up.”
“I can do it myself.” I spit a glob of blood at his feet.
Levi stared at me, and for a moment, he looked genuinely sad before shrugging and standing. “Suit yourself.”
I used the car to help me work my way back to my feet. There was a huge dent in the driver’s side door. My sword was lying a few feet away. I walked over to it. It hurt like hell to bend over to pick it up.
“I want you to get in your car and drive,” Levi said. “I want you to go straight down the road and out of Delai and never return. I will have eyes on you. If you so much as hesitate, I’ll know and I will come for you.”
I so wanted to bury my blade right between his eyes, but instead I sheathed the sword and staggered over to the car door.
“If you are thinking of trying to take my girl from me, you can stop right now. She is mine. If you insist on hounding me, I will make sure there is nothing left for you to save.”
My teeth ached from clenching my jaw to keep from saying something stupid. He was threatening a girl he was supposed to care for and it pissed me off to no end. What kind of creature was he?
“I’ll leave,” I said, putting as much venom in my voice as I could. “But I
will
be back. Remember that. Someday, when you think you are safe, I’ll be there.”
will
be back. Remember that. Someday, when you think you are safe, I’ll be there.”
I was hoping for disdain, but instead I got a smile. “No, you won’t.”
And with that, Levi turned and walked back to the house.
I watched him go, wanting to fight him with every fiber of my being. I didn’t care that he was an angel. I didn’t care that I’d probably die in the process. I just wanted to shoot him, to stab him, to make him regret ever threatening Sienna in that way.
But I didn’t do anything. I knew I was being weak, but I was also being smart. I needed more than my demon-forged weapons, my demon-tainted blood.
What I needed was the demon himself.
I squeezed my eyes shut, hating myself. Leave it to me to side with a demon over an angel. If Sienna hadn’t been involved, who knew what I would have done.
I fumbled with the car door, my fingers not quite working right. The metal handle was warped, making it that much harder to grip. I managed to get the door open, though it popped and groaned with every inch. I slid into the driver’s seat and slammed the door closed.
Or at least I tried to. The door popped right back open and I felt like screaming. I reached out and yanked it closed with all my might; this time it stuck.
The station wagon was still running, so all I had to do was put it in gear and turn around. I could see a face in the upstairs window, watching me. I hoped it was Sienna and I silently promised her I wouldn’t let her suffer any longer than I had to.
I drove away from the house, vowing to return. No matter what Levi thought he could do to me, I could do so much worse. He might be an angel, but I had a demon on my side.
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